Category: Scrabble

Scrabble In The Jungle Lands In Nigeria 

Posted on by Platinum News

A new level of organised scrabble tournament has been cracked open in the firmament of the sport as a new competition, Scrabble In The Jungle lands in Nigeria. 

The Super-tournament will see a selection of eight top-ranked players by the Nigeria Scrabble Federation including four wildcard nominees, compete over a massive 36 round of games in a closed location over a three days period.

The 12 players will be kept in a boot-camp like arrangement in a controlled space where the juggernauts will test their prowess against one another at a highly competitive level from the 26th to 28 of this month.

The heavyweights will hunt for points on the boards with different strategies as they square up against one another in what has been described by many as blockbuster showpiece.

Interestingly, fans and supporters have also been given the rare chance of getting into adopting any of the players who they bet could go on to win the title and the grand prize-money at the end of the show.

An excited Musa Olasupo, President of Scrabble Las Vegas, the organisers of the Scrabble in the Jungle series while speaking with the media  said that the desire to raise the stakes and make the sport more attractive and sustenable  birthed the new variant of scrabble event which will be the first in the world.

“The Scrabble In The Jungle is a boot camp arrangement where we keep players under one roof to live, eat and drink scrabble for 3days,” he stated. 

” Our focus is to encourage competitive scrabble that will reward excellence. This maiden edition, ” he continued,  “will feature the top 8 players according to NSF July ratings and 4 wildcards. Management of Vegas have discretionary powers on the 2 wildcards but we hope to make the players of equal strength.”

Olasupo further stated that he hopes the tournament would grow to a level where they can muscle enough resources to have live viewings, eliminations and so many other innovations to make it bigger and more glamourous. 

Nigeria remain the best scrabble playing nation in the world and also successfully became the first African nation to win the World English Language Speaking Scrabble Players Association Championship (WESPAC) when Wellington Jighere made history in Perth, Australia in 2015.

Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament Is Out Of The Norm – Nwali

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Winner of the second edition of the Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament in the Masters category Enoch Nwali has described the organisation of the Sophomore edition as “out of norm.”

Enoch who was the runner-up at the West Africa Scrabble Tournament last month climbed highest as the King Of The Hill (KOTH) after two days of exciting mindgames held at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites over the weekend.

The scrabble prodigy amassed a total of 12 wins but suffered four defeats after 16 rounds, to finish off in style with sheer board mastery on Table 1 even against an establishment like Wellington Jighere who once conquered the world.

Jighere’s defeat gave Emmanuel Umujose on Table 2 an opening to secure a second place finish with a score of 11 wins and 5 loses from Table 2,  to knock Wellington into the third position. 

Nwali earned a cash prize of 250,000 naira, a voucher from CINQ-SAA, a giant trophy as well as a special jacket while Umujose and Wellington received 180,000 and 120, 000 respectively. 

They both received 15,000 naira worth of vouchers  each from the beauty parlour firm. 

“I feel very excited! it’s a tournament I want to win. I’m so excited!”confessed Nwali who couldn’t contain his joy.

 The much travelled Young Gun who has witnessed the organisation of some local and international tournaments spoke on the second instalment of EEAST this way:

“This is mind blowing! This is like out of the norm. Its very nice to play in this type of scrabble championship like it’s something that has never happened. It’s something that is beginning to happen,  it’s like a new phase for Nigerian scrabble. I’m just going to give my kudos to the organisers they did everything well in organising this tournament. Yeah,  the Jacket It’s nice ! Honestly,  I didn’t see it coming. I never knew I was going to win it. It’s nice. I feel very excited to wear this jacket.

Everything was top-notch .This event can as well be an international event with the way it was organised! So I’m saying well done to the organisers of the EEAST “

When prodded further on how he pulled off a major victory in the Masters especially against his immediate rival in the closing stages he revealed some ongoing in his mind at that moment:

“When playing against Wellington, I was just calm like I was playing against a very formidable player, a former World Champion so, I just told myself that whatever happens I’m a winner already like, making to that top Table 1 at that special stage of the competition I just stayed calm and did my best”

” Everybody in the Masters category is very good,  everybody in the Masters category can equally win the tournament.  The thing is that, you have to be calm to make the best choices at every time and so you don’t make mistakes because any little mistake can cause you the tournament. “

In the Intermediate category, Taiwo Adeniran maintained his top position from Day One to complete a whirlwind performance on the final day ahead of Bukunmi Afolayan and Bimbo Okusanya who came second and third respectively. 

The D’Warriors strategist attributed his success to devine intervention while Emmanuel Enyi claimed the Opens category title moving above Apiafi Isaac and John Mosopefoluwa.

Emmanuel Egbele who was the brain behind the tournament  said he was fulfilled for the success of the tournament which witnessed a few “firsts” in scrabble where two different halls “Fantasia” and “Banquet” were used on each day while Eko Hotel became the first to host a scrabble tournament. 

 “The experience was quite exciting, it was exhilarating and as you can see, it’s hugely competitive and at the end, the winners emerged. So was quite and exciting and beautiful experience”

“Putting the EEAST together is part of my own objective of contributing to the growth of the game and then also knowing that scrabble is not one of those sport that doesn’t get all the attention and it’s also one my own way of bringing it to the public view and let people see it and appreciate the game and also give players the opportunity to continue to improve on their skills and so that whenever the opportunity comes up, they can be able to perform very, very well. That just the main driver behind it”

He thanked CINQ-SAA, PanafricanSports, BizzyBody, MGi, Lekki Scrabble Club, Leonse International, SAOR and Eko Hotel & Suites for the support. 

He urged sponsors to team up the tournament ahead of the third edition.

Video: https://we.tl/t-7mrDJt4r5K

EEAST: Organisers Set Requirements, Registration Closes On Wednesday

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With a few days to the commencement of the second edition of the Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament (EEAST), organisers have released some guidelines ahead of the two-day tourney in Lagos.

The “Sophomore Edition” has re-enacted a huge interest among scrabble enthusiasts after the successes recorded at the inaugural edition.

Prompt timing of games, conducive ambience and the intelligent execution of schedules before, during and after the event earned the commendations of critics who continuously raise expectations in redefining scrabble tournaments in the country.

In separate statements, Technical Director Khaleel Adedeji, who was the chief arbiter at the West Africa Scrabble Tournament in Ghana and Hakeem Olaribigbe who is the Tournament Coordinator issued a few guidelines ahead of the June 1 registration deadline.

According to Adedeji, he said players would be classified based on rating points in the Masters, Intermediate and Opens categories.

“There will be the categorization of players based on the following cutoffs:(Masters 1400-above, Intermediate1100-1399 and Opens1099-below.”

He further explained that “a player can play up (moving one step up). For instance, Opens to intermediate or intermediate to master. It’s imperative to know that an Opens player can’t play in the Master’s category. In case of a player plays up, he would have all the benefits of the category he featured in and would be expected to update his/her registration to effect that.”

Meanwhile, Olaribigbe has called on participants to firm up their registration process as the June 1 deadline closes.

Players have been advised to complete their applications through this portal http://bit.ly/EEAST2022 as late entries would not be honoured due to the limited number projected for the tournament.

Interestingly, the EEAST has been chosen as one of the events where players can garner rating points for the MGI Grand Slam in October.

The EEAST will hold from June 3-4 at the glamourous Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

Adeosun Stuns All In Maiden South-West Closed Scrabble Tourney

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In a clear attestation to the unpredictable attributes of scrabble, Adeyemi Adeosun over the weekend, sent a shock wave of surprise as he emerged as the champion of the maiden South-West Closed tournament held in Ibadan,  Oyo state.

In the presence of more established rivals, the Ladoke Akintola University graduate muscled his way to the summit, ghosting past a highly experienced juggernuat Jimoh Saheed in the tension-soaked Round 12 of the exciting tournament.

He landed the fatal blow with the eight letter word ‘DENIABLE’ when he utilised the ‘I’ thereby taking the tournament beyond the reach of the former African champion.

His unassailable 10 wins with 1274 cumulative points also restricted second- placed  Adetomiwa Adeloye from Ondo State who he skipped past in Round 11 on Table 1.

A smiling Adeosun who could not hide his excitement and surprise at his dominant success on the board at the relaxing atmosphere of the Jogor Centre said he was short of words after he was presented with a 200,000 top prize-money.

“Wow!” he exclaimed “I’m short of words, I feel really excited,  I feel really elated and I give thanks to God.  I want to thank Mr Olaiya Kabir who registered me for this tournament.  I’m dedicating this victory to him”

“I didn’t see myself winning this South-West Closed championships, I didn’t see it coming, it was just luck and l hope to use this as a stepping stone to more successes.

I really thank God and appreciate the Nigeria Scrabble Federation South-West Zonal Coordinator Emmanuel Egbele for this wonderful tournament. “

Adeyinka “Biggie” Aiyewunmi took the Intermediate title while Clement Ologungbiri claimed the Opens category with Bukunmi Afolayan and Segun Adegbenro who picked the Women’s and Veterans categories respectively.

Hassan Wasiu won the students’ class.
At a brief but colourful closing ceremony, Egbele extended his gratitude to participants, the sponsors as well as individuals who ensured that all the boxes were ticked in putting up a grand show in the historic city of Ibadan.

“I feel elated and glad obout the success of this tournament,  the turnout was massive with almost 90 players in attendance but it could have been more you know but, we had to restrict the number at the registration. This significantly underlined the massive interest in this great game despite the fact that this was held in Ibadan and not in Lagos.”

The event which witnessed a rich cast of scrabble top shots in the zone had in attendance the  Chairman of Oyo State Scrabble Association Salau Samson, Chairman of Lagos State Scrabble and Monopoly Association Dipo Akanbi,

Chairman Nigeria Police Scrabble Association Chief Supritendent  Femi Okunnowo, South-West bigwigs Femi Awowade, Musa Olasupo as well as club captains and coaches from the six states that make up the zone.

Egbele Explains Reason Behind Ibadan As Venue For South-West Closed Scrabble Tourney

Posted on by Platinum News

The South-West Zonal Coordinator of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) Emmanuel Egbele has given reasons behind the choice of Ibadan, Oyo state as the venue for the maiden South-West Closed Scrabble championship. 

Since the tournament was announced last week, plenty of excitement has been generated from players and enthusiasts alike. 

Interestingly, a few observers assumed the commercial centre, Lagos would have been the venue ahead of Ibadan. 

Clarifying the reasons Ibadan became the preferred choice, Egbele explained that it was only normal for the first South-West Closed championships to be held in the biggest city in West Africa which incidentally is the Zonal headquarters of the  NSF.

During a brief chat with the media, he assured that subsequent editions would be hosted by different cities across the states as Ibadan was selected during to certain parameters.

“The city of Ibadan is our Zonal Headquarters so it is home for us. It is therefore fitting to go start from there and move to other states in subsequent editions.”

He further cited the rich historical background of Ibadan city as an opportunity for participants to explore for tourism. 

Furthermore, he highlighted how central the city is for participants coming from other states to access logistically.

 “We also know Ibadan is central for most of the South-West States. It is also an historic city that will provide some of us the opportunity to admire the sights and sound.”

The South-West Closed Scrabble Championship is slated for Jogor Hall this Saturday.

Nsikak Edges Saheed In Thrilling South-South Opens Scrabble Tournament

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Former African champion Nsikak Etim emerges as the winner of the maiden South-South Opens Scrabble tournament in the Masters category after edging fellow former continental “Word-Lord” Jimoh Saheed by seven cumulative points when both heavyweights finish with 11 wins apiece after 15 rounds of games in Asaba, Delta State on Sunday. 

The results underline the high-line competition as well as board intelligence displayed by the competitors. 

Nsikak and Saheed end the two-day scrabble spectacle with scores tied on 11 wins and four defeats but with a difference of seven points separating the two after recording 827 and 820 points respectively. 

David Ogedengbe finishes third ahead of early runner Noble Oshevire and  scrabble wordsmiths pre-tournament favourites, Olatunde Oduwole and Wellington Jighere who place fourth and fifth  on the log.

In the Intermediate category,  Olumide Oyejide dominates the second tier with 13 wins and  963 cumulative points while Onota Ojiru and Orughele  Akpofure come second and third with 10 wins each but are kept separate by cumulative points of 689 and 674 respectively. 

in the Opens category, Ijegbulem Clement bears his mark  by picking the pole position ahead of 62 players who registered while  Osikhena “Capo” Ojior claim the Veterans category.

The tournament has in attendance Toke Ake, the President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF)  as well as the Vice President who is the Zonal Coordinator Bright Idahosa and other top officials. 

138 featured at the first major tournament in the zone this year with over two million naira won in cash prize-money. 

Another round of scrabble action shifts to the South-West Zone where players will converge on April 30 for a closed tournament in Ibadan,  Oyo state. 

D’Warriors Players Target Big Wins At South-South Opens Scrabble Tourney

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D’Warriors players participating at the maiden South-South Opens Scrabble Tournament have set a target of winning the category where they are competing in this weekend in Asaba, the capital of Delta State.

Khaleel “Dynamite” Adedeji and Anthony Idorenyin who are contesting for a top podium placing at the Intermediate level have declared their intentions going into the championship.

South-South Opens tournament is witnessing a high tournout of quality jammers across the country.

Capturing their resolve before the commencement of hostilities on the square boards, Adedeji who doubles as the club manager, sends a clear warning signal to their rivals that their sole target is to take the pole position at the tournament.

“Our target for the event is to ensure our players win the category they feature in,” he says.

“Myself and Anthony would be playing in the intermediate category at Asaba, winning the category is our main goal.”

He reveals the hard work and efforts he has undergone in preparing the event.

“I personally have been doing my best to be in good shape going to the tournament, it’s not going to be easy”, he admits “but winning the category is an achievable goal.”

Jighere, Oduwole, Karo  Hit Asaba For South-South Opens Scrabble Tourney

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Scrabble word-lords Wellington Jighere, Olatunde Oduwole,  Eta Karo as well as Dennis Ikekeregor will add sparks to the maiden South-South Opens Scrabble Tournament which begins this weekend in Asaba, Delta State. 

The quartet who share richly combined profiles from the World, African and national championships will contend against other top-ranked players at the tournament which boast prize money of over two million naira.

The South-South Opens Scrabble Tournament, an initiative of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation’s South-South Zone will see players compete in the Masters, Intermediate, Opens and Veterans categories this weekend in Asaba, Delta State which Incidentally will be hosting the 2022 National Sports Festival in November. 

Bright Idahosa who is the Zonal  Coordinator expresses his delight at the birth of the tournament which according to him, is a child of necessity in organised scrabble going by the quality of talents produced in the zone and the need to replace them in the future.

During a chat with the media, he says that “not too long ago, there was a dearth in scrabble championship across the nation  this, the South-South saw as a case of living by the bank of a river and washing your hands with spittle.”

 He continues, “the region considers this unacceptable, a disservice to the championship spirit in them, and a deviation from the norm of breeding future champions. They went to work and this championship is a fallout from the decision reached”, he reveals.

 “We must keep stoking the ember of winning and staying at the top, as the current champions lose their grip on the things that make them shine, as a result of age and other factors, there must be ready hands to take over the mantle, and keep the winning spirit aglow.”

Africa’s best female jammer Mayuku Tuoyo is expected to be in the mix of super-scrubbers at the mind game which is open to players across the country.

Idahosa believes the purpose of making the tournament open will bear more opportunities for attending players to enjoy healthy competitions and foster unity amongst themselves. 

“The dictum remains, “Iron sharpens iron”, and so the championship is open to all states of the federation, to test their strength, leverage on it, work on their shortcomings, foster unity with others, even while building the spirit of sportsmanship. It is an opportunity to align on what I term “sporting espionage” while breeding the best of sportsmen and women, and creating a template for future champions across the divide.”

Idahosa who is also a scrabble coach extends invitations to individuals, private, state governments and multinationals in the oil-rich region to support the tournament through sponsorship as well as encouraging talents in the mind game.

South West Closed Scrabble Tourney Berths In Ibadan

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Nigeria’s South-Western region is set to witness it’s first major scrabble championship with the coming of a closed event slated for this month in the city of Ibadan, Oyo state. 

The South-West Closed championships became a child of necessity as the leadership of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation in the Zone decided to create more competitions for scrabblers as a way of setting them up for national and international tournaments. 

Players will compete in the Masters, Intermediate and Open categories for ratings, prestige and honour with plenty of cash prizes also on offer.

An excited Emmanuel Egbele, the NSF South-West Coordinator who disclosed the details of the maiden tournament to the media  underlined the importance of introducing the South-West Closed championships to players based in Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Lagos states.

“The purpose” according to him “is to create some excitement among our players and as a family and prepare some of them participating in other national and international events for the opportunity for some competitive game time.”

Top players like former World No.5 Enoch Nwali, former African champion Femi Awowade and  Dokun Esan who won the Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament (EEAST) are expected to light up Jogor Hall, Ibadan when the mindgame takes centre stage on April 30.

The announcement has been generating some buzz and excitement among the players who are eager to hunt for prizes as well as ranking points.

“Registration is ongoing now, and we are expecting top players in the South-West. We have Dokun Esan the reigning EEAST Champion, Hakeem Olaribigbe, MGi Patrons Cup Champ. We also have Femi Awowade coming in to be part of the Tournaments. Former World No. 5 and NUGA Scrabble MVP, Enoch Nwali is going to be there”, he confirmed. 

South West Closed Scrabble Tourney Berths In Ibadan

Posted on by Platinum News

Nigeria’s South-Western region is set to witness its first major scrabble championship with the coming of a closed event slated for this month in the city of Ibadan, Oyo state. 

The South-West Closed championships became a child of necessity as the leadership of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation in the Zone decided to create more competitions for scrabblers as a way of setting them up for national and international tournaments. 

Players will compete in the Masters, Intermediate and Open categories for ratings, prestige and honour with plenty of cash prizes also on offer.

An excited Emmanuel Egbele, the NSF South-West Coordinator who disclosed the details of the maiden tournament to the media underlined the importance of introducing the South-West Closed championships to players based in Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Lagos states.

“The purpose” according to him “is to create some excitement among our players and as a family and prepare some of them participating in other national and international events the opportunity for some competitive game time.”

Top players like former World No.5  Enoch Nwali, former African champion Femi Awowade and  Dokun Esan who won the EAST are expected to light up Jogor Hall, Ibadan when the mind game takes centre stage on April 30.

The announcement has been generating some buzz and excitement among the players who are eager to hunt for prizes as well as ranking points.

“Registration is ongoing now, and we are expecting top players in the South-West. We have Dokun Esan the reigning EEAST Champion, Hakeem Olaribigbe, MGi Patrons Cup Champ. We also have Femi Awowade coming in to be part of the Tournaments. Former World No. 5 and NUGA Scrabble MVP, Enoch Nwali is going to be there”, he confirmed